The Jaipurfoot: A $40 Solution to a Priceless Problem

This article is about a new development in prosthetics, which may have significant utility in developing nations. Scientists in Northern India have developed a new prosthetic foot, also known as the Jaipur foot in order to help amputees to work towards living normal lives. This is especially important in a developing nation such as India, as the reason many amputees there remain in the same condition is that they are unable to pay for any new prosthetics or aids. Because they remain in the same state for the rest of their lives, their struggles can affect them, especially in a psychological sense. This prosthetic is especially innovative, as most of the materials used to build it come locally, from sources such as wooden crates, water tanks and tire rubber. As we have seen in the recent Haitian earthquake tragedy, when a developing nation is afflicted with a disaster of high magnitude, the citizens become utterly helpless. In 2001, there was similar damage in the North Indian state of Gujurat, and many of the victims, some of whom lost limbs during this disaster were unable to recover. Many of these amputees are farmers by trade, so when they are affected by the loss of a limb, they are unable to continue on in their work, and this of course is devastating. The prosthetic was designed to meet the needs of such farmers, especially those who work in rice fields, which tend to be wet enviroments, and has been designed so that these farmers can continue on with their normal lives. The normal cost of a prosthetic, especially in developed countries can be between $8000-$9000. This is why the price of the prostheic, termed the “Jaipur Leg”, after a city in Northern India is especially shocking. $40. Within about a months time, the amputee fitted with the Jaipur Leg is able to resume normal activites such as farming and running.

I found this article interesting because it is an example of how innovative solutions can be found to many widespread problems at a very cost effective manner. Also, as an Indian-American who has visited India several times, I have been made aware of the number of amputees in India, which by proportion is much much higher than the number of amputees here in the United States. Biomedical innovations such as the Jaipur Foot can help the poor get back to their normal lives, which is especially important for the poor, who rely heavily on their professions to give them their basic needs.

Source:http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100224/india_nm/india464236

Picture:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/patient-wears-prosthetic-limb--known-quotJaipur-Footquot-hospital-Mumbai/photo//100224/ids_photos_india/ra3800819082.jpg//s:/nm/20100224/india_nm/india464236